Who Can Forgive Sins, But God Alone? - Luke 5:21

The beloved physician Luke wrote, “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, your sins are forgiven you”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-one of his book Luke shares how, “the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, … who can forgive sins, but God alone?” where we read:

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

The verse reads, “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaks blasphemies?” Luke began with the words, “and the scribes” or “and the men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings who were interpreters and teachers” “and the Pharisees” which means “and the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “began to reason” or “commenced and made a beginning of resolving, bringing together different thoughts, considerations and muses”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Who is this” or “what manner of person is this same one” “that speaks blasphemies” which means “who utters, talks, preached and declares words which are slander, detraction, injurious and impious to divine majesty”? Luke shared how the “religious leaders” known as the “scribes and Pharisees” indignantly wondered “who” Jesus thought He was speaking such “impious” words.

The verse goes on to say, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Luke continued with the words, “Who can forgive sins” which means “what person has the power, strength and capability to remit, let go, free from debt and keep no longer errors, mistakes, missing of the mark and offenses”, “but God” or “other or lest than the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “alone” which means “only, without companion, solely and by themself”? Luke shared how the “religious leaders” questioned “who” was capable of “remitting and freeing a person” from “errors and wrongs” other than God Himself.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how these “religious leaders” were carefully observing everything Jesus said. Rather than wondering what Jesus had in mind, they were in an accusatory state as they indignantly questioned what Jesus was saying. In their minds, no one but God Himself could “forgive” a person's “sins”, and Jesus said, “your sins be forgiven you” to the man with palsy. Once again Jesus violated their understanding. Jesus will address their question in the next verse, but let it suffice us for now to know Jesus knew and knows what He is doing. He came to the earth to “forgive the sins” of those who put their faith and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise will not challenge Him but rather yield to Him and allow Him to “remit” their “errors and wrongs” and provide them with everlasting life.

Next time Luke shares how “when Jesus perceived their thoughts” He asked, “What reason you in your hearts”?, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".